COEUR d’ALENE — The cottonwoods standing tall on Seventh Street across from Zach McLean’s home are majestic. Their top branches, more than 100 feet above the ground, extend far over the street and sidewalks. 

It is an impressive sight, McLean said. But it’s also a worry for the husband and father.  

He said large branches have snapped and fallen to the ground, including one last year when his oldest daughter was outside in front of their house. He worries that a passing vehicle or pedestrian could be hit.

“In my opinion, it’s a matter of time," McLean said, adding he has shared his concerns with the city. 

The towering cottonwoods are on a grass strip in front of a property where a home was gutted by a fire in January 2023. Today, the land is cleared and vacant, waiting for the construction of a new home. 

Nick Goodwin, the city’s urban forester, said the trees are marked for removal. He said that, as they are abutting private property, they are the property owner’s responsibility. 

The sidewalk fronting the trees is cracked and uneven and has to be torn up and replaced. As part of that process, the trees will come down, though a date has not been set. 

Goodwin said when citizens report troublesome trees, the city investigates. If the trees are the property owner’s responsibility, the city will determine a course of action and notify the owner. 

If the trees belong to the city, it will consider what steps may be necessary. 

McLean, meanwhile, said in his 10 years on the block, he has watched the cottonwoods climb skyward, roughly 6 feet a year. They are among the fastest-growing trees in the U.S. 

Seventh Street is lined with trees, adding to its charm, and the cottonwoods are part of it. As well, Coeur d’Alene is a Tree City USA, so trees are treasured. 

McLean said he understands this. But he said the cottonwood branches do snap and he believes they are large enough to hurt someone. He suggested until they are removed, perhaps some of the overhanging branches could be trimmed. 

“These things grow out and out and out,” he said.